Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 198, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1910 — COST OF MARRIAGES [ARTICLE]

COST OF MARRIAGES

Some People Try to See How Much Can Be Spent. Amusing Story of Clergyman In London Who Was Out for All the Cash He Could Get—Some of Accessories He Would Furnish. London.—Some of the fashionable weddings that have taken place lately would seem to indicate that the people concerned were anxious to see how much money could be spent on the affair. In England the ceremony is much more complicated. The most usual form of marriage is by "banns.” Notice is given to the clergyman of the church where the young couple desire to get married, the announcement is given out three Sundays running before the wedding day, and for this the bridegroom pays the clerk 50 cents. If neither of the parties live In this parish, one or other of them must do so for three weeks before the ceremony takes place, but this condition is often filled by the bridegroom taking a room and putting a stick or bag in it for the required time. Of course, you have to pay the clergyman something for performing the ceremony for you, and the legal fee is $1.25, with 50 cents to the clerk, and a further 50 cents for a copy of the certificate of marriage, but each clergyman asks w’hat he chooses, and som® of them place their services rather high. Recently a young couple who live in the suburbs decided to get married at one of the churches in the Strand, in London, as this was a convenient center for all their friends, and also near Charing Cross station, from which they were starting for Paris immediately after the ceremony. It was to be a quiet affair, no bridesmaids, no bouquets, no carriages, no red carpet, etc. So one fine morning the brides’s father started off to find the incumbent of ope of these London churches, an individual with a double-barreled name and, incidentally, a double-barreled loquacity as well. After a great effort the father got him to talk about the wedding, and finally inquired the fee. “The fee would be $25,” said his reverence. “And, of course/you would like some music? We supply that and it would be $5.” The father was about to say something, when, the padre broke in again: “And you would like some red carpet put down, I suppose? We supply that for $5.”

“Oh,” began the man out of whose pocket the money was to come for all this, when —’’ “And if it’s a wet day, you would require an awning,” continued the clergyman. “We supply the awning and the fee would be $5.” "Yes,” gasped the father, casting about in his mind for a way of escape, when the other went on: “And, of course, you would have some flowers. My daughter always does the flowers, and I’m sure she would be delighted to do them for you.” Before the astonished father could reply, the clergyman rang the bell and requested the servant who answered it to ask “Miss Louie” tj l step in.” “Miss Louie” duly arrived, and expressed herself enchanted at the prospect or doing the flowers for the wedding. “And whSt do you think It would cost, dear?” asked her father. "Do you suppose you could do it for $25?” As this last straw was laid on the poor victim’s back, he roused himself and managed to stamrper that he must consult his daughter before making the final arrangements, and made for the door, trusting to escape. But the clergyman had reserved a parting shot. Taking up a small paper-covered book from the table, he said:. “Tfis is a small book on the history of the church. lam sure your daugh-

ter will like to read all about it, as she is thinking of being married there.” “Thank you; I’ll give it to her,” said the innocent man. “That’ll be 25 cents,” said his reverence, and the unfortunate father placed the money on the table and fled for his life. Needless to say the marriage did not take place at his church.